Although I remember reading as a teenager, this is the only book title I can specifically recall reading. I think I remember it so strongly because itAlthough I remember reading as a teenager, this is the only book title I can specifically recall reading. I think I remember it so strongly because it moved me to tears and I felt so drawn to the characters. And the setting, unlike my Alberta prairie upbringing, was so different from my own locale.

Everything about this book spoke to me so deeply as a teen that I read it more than once. I think this is the only book I've read more than once (other than the books I read and re-read my children when they were younger). And it was impactful enough that I declared it my favorite book and that feeling stuck with me.

At the age of 41, I re-read the book this past summer. I found it in my 16 year old male cousin's stash of books, given to him from our grandparents. The same cover and vintage as the one I read. Maybe it was the one I read originally?

I offered to buy it from him. He gave it me for free :) And I devoured the book once again. Re-reading one of my favorite books of all time.

I cried again and the story felt both familiar and new. I saw the characters differently from this vantage point. Instead of being the age of the teenaged girl, I'm the age of their mom!

I know what I loved about this book all those years ago. The struggle feels real. The growth feels real. I don't think I read many books as a teen with characters as real as this. Now as an adult, having read many, many books and finding out just how flawed I am and how the best books are also about flawed characters finding truth, love, beauty and redemption in their own lives, this book continues to ring true. I think I felt frustrated for Sarah Louise, when I read this book as a teen. (It's not fair!) Now I feel compassion and grace and knowing acceptance that lots of things aren't fair. And we do our best as parents and people to live fulfilling lives regardless.

I read one criticism of this book that said it lacked a plot. Life is the plot. And that's what I love about this bookI thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I read one criticism of this book that said it lacked a plot. Life is the plot. And that's what I love about this book.

I appreciated its historical perspective on the European immigration to the Great Plains. But it was the stories and the people (the book has great characters) that drew me in. The characters (people), and the story of American Plains told through their lives, is the essence of this book.

Certainly some aspects of Morrow Lindbergh's experience are not accessible or relatable to the life of modern women, who often work outA classic read.

Certainly some aspects of Morrow Lindbergh's experience are not accessible or relatable to the life of modern women, who often work outside the home and raise children. Her experience is very WASP of a certain time and place. But her reflections on the overarching stages of a woman's life (granted, married and mother) are so relevant and transcend the generation to which she belonged.

A very worthy read. My first introduction to Stegner. Kind of embarrassed that at almost 40 this is the first book of his I have read. I will definiteA very worthy read. My first introduction to Stegner. Kind of embarrassed that at almost 40 this is the first book of his I have read. I will definitely check out more of his books.

Crossing to Safety is a story of friendship, marriage, and love from another era. A story rooted to place and landscape, I love those.

My least favorite part of the book was the year in Italy. I understand it's literary purpose (I think) and the role it plays in the story but I just couldn't get into it. Found it really un-relatable.

Oh, and I think every family with young children should have a hired girl. How lovely life would be.......more

It took me a few chapters to get used to the language and different style of writing of the Nesbit's early 20th century (English) style. But once I foIt took me a few chapters to get used to the language and different style of writing of the Nesbit's early 20th century (English) style. But once I found my reading rhythm I really enjoyed this story. So did the kids. We loved the message - family togetherness, dealing with sibling issues, kids having rousing real-world adventures, friendships across ages, a mother working (writing!) to support her family in hardship, etc. We also like that these kids were essentially free-ranged unschoolers while their family was separated from their father. A good read. Lots of good stuff here. Free in the public domain...more